In a recent plea at a federal court in San Antonio, a 24-year-old Laredo man, Gerardo Rafael Perez Jr., also known as Jerry, has admitted to his role as a coordinator for a weapons trafficking organization. This group was responsible for smuggling an array of military-grade firearms to the Cartel Del Noreste (CDN) in Mexico, according to details provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas. Perez and his network used straw purchasers to illegitimately acquire these firearms from various outlets across Texas, some of which included high-powered weaponry like Barrett .50 caliber rifles and FNH SCAR rifles.
The straw purchasers were directed by Perez to buy specific firearms from designated sellers, shelling out substantial amounts of cash in the process. One instance revealed a straw purchaser acquiring six firearms with nearly $50,000 for Perez in San Antonio. These purchases were made without the necessary export or dealer licenses. It was also discovered that Perez engaged in tampering with firearm identification by removing serial numbers from the guns to erase their traceability, as reported in a statement from the Justice Department.
Law enforcement's investigation led to a search of Perez's residence last year, where agents found not only a cache of weapons and ammunition but also evidence of the smuggling operation which included blank ATF Form 4473s and cartel-related paraphernalia. The evidence extended to Perez's cell phone, which contained incriminating communications regarding the solicitation and purchase of firearms. This operation is part of a larger initiative dubbed Operation Take Back America, which seeks to dismantle illegal immigration and cartel-based crimes within the United States.
Perez, who was arrested on March 20, 2024, is now facing up to 25 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to multiple conspiracy charges. These charges include trafficking firearms, straw purchasing firearms, smuggling goods from the U.S., and possessing firearms in advancement of a drug trafficking crime. His sentencing will be determined according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors, as noted by the Justice Department's announcement. The case has been prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William Calve and is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives alongside Homeland Security Investigations.
